LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia — A Georgia community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 28-year-old Rubi Maldonado-Nava as investigators continue pursuing justice in a case authorities describe as a fatal act of domestic violence.

According to investigators, Rubi was a devoted mother whose greatest joy was caring for her three-year-old son. Family members and friends remember her as a kind, hardworking woman who was deeply dedicated to providing her child with a safe and loving future.

Concern grew when loved ones were suddenly unable to reach her. Phone calls went unanswered, text messages remained unread, and family members feared something was wrong. Their worries led authorities to conduct a welfare check at her home on Club Lakes Parkway in Lawrenceville.

When officers arrived, Rubi was not at the residence. Detectives immediately launched an investigation, speaking with relatives and neighbors while searching for evidence that could explain her disappearance.

As the investigation developed, detectives focused on Rubi’s former boyfriend, Jahir Sagahon, who is also the father of her young son.

According to authorities, Sagahon was later found returning home with burns to his face and hands. Investigators say those injuries raised concerns and became part of the ongoing investigation into Rubi’s disappearance.

Police allege that evidence gathered during the investigation led to the conclusion that an argument between the former couple turned violent. Authorities say Sagahon is accused of fatally strangling Rubi inside the home.

Investigators further allege that, following her death, efforts were made to conceal the crime by placing Rubi’s body in the trunk of a vehicle and transporting it away from the residence. Authorities also believe an attempt was made to destroy evidence, resulting in the burns observed by investigators.

The tragedy has left Rubi’s family devastated, especially as her three-year-old son now faces life without his mother.

Advocates against domestic violence say the case is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that can arise when abusive relationships escalate. They encourage anyone experiencing abuse or feeling unsafe to seek support from trusted loved ones, law enforcement, or organizations that provide ᴀssistance to victims of domestic violence.

As the legal process moves forward, investigators continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding Rubi’s death.

Those who knew Rubi hope she will be remembered not for the violence that ended her life, but for the love she gave her son, her caring nature, and the future she was working so hard to build. Her memory lives on in the hearts of her family and friends, who continue to grieve an unimaginable loss while seeking justice in her name.